Well pump lock



D. W. HOFERER WELL PUMP LOCK April 8, 1941..

D. W. HOFERER WELL PUMP LOCK April 8, 1941.

Filed Hay 24, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @remy/f Patented Apr. 8, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICEv WELL PUMP LOCK Daniel W. Hcferer, Long Beach, Calif.

Application May 24,1938, Serial No. 209,689

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for use on a well pump and relates more particularly to an anchoring device or locking device for removably locking a Well pump in its operative position on the pump tubing. A general object of this invention is to provide a well pump anchor or locking device that is very simple andl sturdy and that is particularly dependable and long wearing.

Deep well pumps such as oil well pumps must be secured to the lower end of the tubing in such a manner that they will not shift or rotate and so that they may be detached from the tubing and Withdrawn from the well for repair, etc. Recently, it has been found desirable under certain conditions to suspend a well pump in the well by releasablyv locking or connecting its upper end with the tubing. The devices that have been introduced to detachably lock or secure the upper ends of well pumps to the tubings have not proven entirely satisfactory and are costly to manufacture and repair. These prior devices have usually embodied spring rings that snap past shoulders or into depressions and the spring rings and the shoulders or depressions, as the case may be,

must be very accurately machined, making it extremely difficult and costly to recondition the devices when they become worn.

Another object of this invention is to provide an anchoring device or locking device for releasably locking the upper end of a well pump to its tubing that may be repeatedly repaired or reconditioned when worn, by very simple, inexpensive, machine operations,

Another object of this invention is to provide a pump lock for releasably connecting the upper 5 Another object of this invention is to provide a well lock of the character mentioned that does not embody any parts that are loose or liable to failure or displacement or any parts that remain in the well when the pump is withdrawn.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well pump lock of the character mentioned in which the friction gripping element has ample strength to withstand the torsion to which it may be subjected when the rods are turned to tighten or loosen their screw threaded joints.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well pump lock of the character mentioned that is easy and simple to assemble and that does not include any small or delicate parts liable to be incorrectly assembled.

(Cl. 10S-219) Another object of this invention is to provide that is not liable to become sanded up or clogged with accumulations of sand, or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a well pump lock of the character mentioned in which the friction ring or locking element obtains proper frictional cooperation with the interior of the tubing shoe following repeated 'resurfacing of the shoe seat and the mandrel downwardly facing surface.

The various objects and features vof my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention; throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:r

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal detailed sectional View of one form of device provided by this invention in the operative position, where it connects the upper end of a pump barrel with the tubing and showing the sucker rod in approximately its lowermost position. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view of the friction ring or locking ring of the device shown in Fig. l. Fig, 3 is an enlarged horizontal detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line 3 3 on Fig. '1.' Fig. 4 is a horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 4 4 on Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig 1 illustrating a slightly modied form of the invention and showing a portion of the mandrel in elevation. Fig. 6 is a vertical detailed sectional view of still another form of the invention and Fig 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of the spring element or gripping element of the device illustrated in Fig. 6.

The well pump anchor or locking device of the present invention is adapted to be employed in various situations and may be varied somewhat in design to adapt it for application to Well pumps of different typesand for use under dierentconditions of operation. In the following detailed description I will describe typical forms of the invention as employed to support or suspenda typical oil well pump from its tubing. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited or restricted to the specific forms or application about to be described, but is to be taken as including any features or modications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

The portion of the Well pumping equipment illustrated in the drawings includes the usual string of tubing T for conducting the pumped viiuid to the surface and the string S of pump rods or sucker rods extending through the tubing string T. The sucker rod string S is made up of a plurality of rods connected by threaded joints (not shown) and is reciprocated to operate the well pump. The portion of the tubing string T illustrated includes two sections I and connected by an element of the locking device of the invention, as will be subsequently described. The portion of the well pump shown in the drawings comprises the stationary element or barrel I2 and the pump rod I3 extending into the barrel |2 which may be considered as connected with the pump plunger. The pump rod I3 is connected with the sucker rod string S to be reciprocated thereby. In the particular construction illustrated a sub or connecting member I4 is threaded on the lower end of the sucker rod string S and is provided at its lower end with a reduced head I5 having a screw threaded socket IB receiving the threaded upper end of the pump rod I3. d

The connecting member I4 hasr a downwardly facing: shoulder I1 adjacent the upper end of its head. I5,

The anchor or well pump lock of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, includes generally, a tubular shoe secured to the'l string of tubing T, a mandrel 2| secured to the pump barrel I2 and seated in the shoe 2U, and a gripping ring or lock ring 22 on the mandrel 2| for gripping the interior of the shoe 29 to removably lock the mandrel and the pump barrel I2 against movement.

The shoe 20 is an integral tubular member intended to be secured to or interposed in the tubing string. T. In the particular case illustrated in the drawings the shoe 20 is interposed between the opposing ends of the sections I0 and I| of the tubing. The opposite end portions of the shoe 20 may be externally threaded to thread into the ends of the tubing sections I 0 and II. The longitudinal opening 23 of the tubular shoe 2,0 is adapted to receive the mandrel 2| and the gripping ring 22, and may receive the upper portion of the stationary pump element or barrel t2. In-accordance with the invention an upwardly facing shoulder or seat 24 is provided on the Wall of the shoe opening 23. The seat 24 is annular and is spaced between the opposite ends of the shoe 20. In the preferred construction the seat 24 is inclined downwardly and inwardly ata substantial pitch. It is preferred to space the seat 24 a substantial distance above the lower end ofthe shoe 20 and to make the portion of the shoe opening 23 below the seat cylindrical so that the seat may be recut or resurfaced a number of times, permitting the repeated reconditioning of the shoe. The portion of the shoe openingr 23 above the seat 24 is preferably cylindrical in the form of the invention being described. The shoe 20 preferably has a comparatively heavy or thick wall. It is to be noted that the shoe 20 is a very simple, inexpensive member.

The mandrelv 2| is a tubular element adapted to bear on the seat 24 to suspend or supportl the pump barrel I2. The mandrel 2| is a generally cylindrical member adapted to t in or extend through the lower portion of the shoe 20 and its lowerend is provided. with means for connection with the barrel I2. In the simple arrangement illustrated in the drawings the lower end portion of the mandrel 2| is threaded in the upper end portion of the barrel I2. The upper portion of the barrel I2 may extend into the shoe opening 23 so that the barrel is centralized and stabilized 75 by the shoe, and the barrel thus received in the shoe may assist in guiding and centralizing the mandrel 2| and the ring 22 in the shoe. An annular external shoulder 25 is provided on the mandrel 2| to rest on or engage downwardly against the seat 24. The shoulder 25 is inclined downwardly and inwardly and is pitched to evenly bear on the seat 24. The shoulder 25 engaging on the seat 24 is adapted to suspend the pump barrel I2 and the parts carried thereby. The seat 24 and the shoulder 25 are ground or surfaced to have a fluid-tight sealing engagement so that they operate to provide a fluid-tight seal between the mandrel 2| and the shoe 20. The seat 24 and the shoulder 25 thus constitute a sealing means and the invention contemplates the employment of additional sealing means on the mandrel 2| to seal with the shoe 2|) if such additional sealing means is believed necessary. The portion of the mandrel 2| above the shoulder 25 is proportioned to t the portion of the shoe opening 23 above the seat 24 with proper clear'- ance. The longitudinal opening 26 of the tubular mandrel 2| is of sucient diameter to pass the pump rod. I3 with. substantial. clearance and thus provide for the upward passage of the pumped fluid from the barrel I2. The mandrel 2| is proportionedv so that its upper end is spaced some distance below the upper end of the shoe 2U when its shoulder 25 is engaged on the seat 24. The mandrel 2l may be provided with knurling 21 below its shoulderV 25 to facilitate its turning or threading when the device is assembled and taken apart.

The gripping ring or lock ring 22 is provided to normally hold or lock the mandrel 2| and the barrel I2 against upward movement and turning movement and is such that it may be released or pulled free from the shoe 20 to permit upward removal of the pump from the well. The ring 22 is provided on the upper end of the mandrel 2I to extend through the upper portion of the shoe 20. If desired, the ring 22 may be formed integral with the mandrel 2|, as will be described in connection with the description of Fig. 5. It may be preferred, however, to manufacture the ring 22 separate from the mandrel 2|, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as this procedure permits the selection of the proper metals and heat treatment for both rthe mandrel and the ring, if conditions warrant this procedure. The gripping or lock ring 22 is an elongate tubular member and is integral or of one piece construction. The lower end of the ring 22 is rigidly secured to the upper end of the mandrel 2|.

In the construction illustrated a pin 28 on the upper end of the mandrel 2| is threaded into the lower end of the ring 22 to rigidly and detachably connect the ring and mandrel. The ring 22 is preferably of sulcient length to project upwardly beyond the upper end of the shoe 2|! when the parts are in the operative positions illustrated in Fig. 1. The longitudinal opening` 29 of the ring 22 is preferably considerably larger in diameter than the opening 26 of the mandrel 2| and the wall thickness of the ring 22 is preferably less than that of the mandrel 2| The opening 29 receives or passes the pump rod 23 with substantial clearance to provide for the passage of the pump iluid and is sufficiently large in diameter to receive the centralizing head I5 of the connecting member I4 when the sucker rod string S is brought to its lowermost position where the shoulder I1 rests on the upper end of the ring 22. The exterior of the ring 22 may be flush or substantially ush lwith the exterior of the upper portion of the mandrelf2| and has a raised portion or an enlarged portion 33 finished to cooperate with or frictionally engage the wall of the shoe opening 23. Where the portion of the shoe opening 23 above the seat 24 is cylindrical, as described above, the enlarged intermediate portion 33 of the ring 22 is also cylindrical, or substantially cylindrical.

The ring 22 is perforated or slotted to render it flexible and resilient. A plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal slots 30 is provided in the ring 22. The slots 30 are of substantial length and extend completely through the portion 33 but terminate below the upper end of the ring 22 and above the lower end of the ring 22, leaving unperforated or unslotted annular portions 3| at the upper and lower ends of the ring. The slots 30 may be of uniform width and the several slots may be alike. The slots 30 render the ring 22 exible and resilient. The ring 22, or at least the slotted enlarged portion 33 of the ring 2'2, has an external diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the opening 23 and when the ring is forced or pressed downwardly into the shoe its slotted intermediate portion is sprung inwardly or compressed. The slots 30 give the major portion of the ring 22 considerable resiliency and this resiliency holds the external surface of the ring -A in tight frictional and gripping cooperation with the wall of the opening 23. The unslotted end portions 3| of the ring 22 serve to join the parts of the ring separated by the slots 30 and by offering resistance to ilexing of these separated portions materially increase the radial or lateral resiliency of the ring. The portion of the opening 29 in the upper unslotted portion 3| may be of reduced diameter to give said upper portion 3| greater wall thickness.

It will be apparent how the slotted ring 22 is laterally or radially flexible and` resilient to allow inward flexing of its wall and to exert an outward force against the wall of the opening 23 by reason of its inherent resiliency. Further, the slots 3i) in the wall of the ring 22 provide the intermediate portion of the ring with a multiplicity of vertical edges 34 which engage the wall of the opening 23. These edges 34 of the ring 22 held outwardly against the wall of the opening 23 by the resiliency of the ring resist or prevent rotation of the ring 22 in the shoe 2U. The parts are related so that the ring 22 is tightly forced' downwardly into the opening 23 to have frictional gripping cooperation with its wall when the shoulder 25 on the mandrel 2| is brought downwardly against the seat 24. The slots 3|) act as fluid ports or ducts placing the upper portion of the opening 29 in communication with the tubing string T above the shoe 23. The pumped uid flowing upwardly from the barrel I2 flows through the mandrel 2| and the ring 22 and passes outwardly through the slots Si) into the tubing string T. This pumpedv uid surges into an out-of the lower portions of the slots 30 and washes the slots free of sand and prevents the accumulation of sand and the like between the wall of the opening 23 and the ring 22.

In the preferreed construction clutch means is provided to connect the sucker rod string S and the ring 22 against relative rotation so that the threadedjoints of the string S may be tightened or threaded down when necessary and may be loosened or unthreaded. In practice thisr clutch means may comprise diametrically opposite lugs projecting downwardly from the shoulder of the connecting member I4. Notches 36 are provided in the upper end of the ring 22 to receive the clutch lugs 35. When the sucker rod string S is moved to its lowermost position the lugs 35 may be entered in the notches 36 and the engagement of the lugs with the notches connects or clutches the sucker rod string S with the ring 22. When the lugs 35 are in the notches 36 the string S may be turned from its upper end to tighten its threaded joints and the ring 22 frictionally gripping the interior of the shoe 20 serves to lock the lower end` of the string S against turning so that the joints of the string may be tightened by such rotation of the string. The tapered shoulder 25 bearing against the tapered slot 24 under the weight of the pump and the hydrostatic pressure o the fluid in the tubing T assists in preventing turning of the lower end of the string S.

In the use or operation of the pump lock illustrated in Figs. l to 4, inclusive, of the drawings, the shoe 20 may be connected to or interposed in the tubing string T when the same is to be run into the well. When the pump is to be run into the well the mandrel 2| and the ring 22 are secured to the upper end of the' pump barrel l2 in the relationship illustrated in the drawings. In running the pump into the well it may be run in on the sucker rod string S in the usual manner and when it approaches its nal position the mandrel 2| enters the upper end of the shoe 2D. The mandrel 2| maybe proportioned to be freely received in the opening 23 of the shoe and the ring 22 follows the mandrel 2| into the opening 23. As described above, the slotted gripping ring 22 is proportioned to rather tightly wedge or seat in the opening 23 and its exterior obtains a rm distributed frictional engagement with the wall of the opening 23 before or when the mandrel 2| reaches a position where its shoulder 25 rests on the seat 24. In practice it may be necessary to apply a portion of the weight of the sucker rod string S to the ring 22 to force it downwardly into the opening 23. The shoulder Il is adapted to bear downwardly against the upper end of the ring 22 to transmit the Weight of the sucker rod string S to the ring 22. As the ring 22 is forced downward-ly into the opening 23 the wall of its slotted intermediate portion is ilexed inwardly. The resiliency of the ring wall thereafter maintains the exterior of the ring in tight frictional cooperation with the Wall of the opening 23. When the mandrel 2l is properly seated in the shoe 20 with its shoulder 25 against the seat 24 the pump is dependably suspended and is securely locked to the tubing T and is in condition for operation. The weight of the barrel l2 and the parts carried thereby and the weight of the fluid column in the tubing T are transmitted to the shoe 23 by the shoulder 25 engaging downwardly on the seat 24. The exed resilient gripping ring 22 tightly bears on or grips outwardly against the wall of the opening 23 to dependably resist longitudinal and turning movement of the pump barrel I2 during operation of the pump.

When it is desired to withdraw the pump from the well the sucker rod string S is pulled upwardly until the pump plunger or a part carried by the pump rod I3 engages upwardly against a part on the barrel l2, whereupon the upward movement or force is transmitted to the barrel. This upward movement or force on the barrel l2 lifts or moves the ring 22 and the mandrel 2| upwardly out of the shoe 20. Following the disengagement of theA mandrel 2|v and the` ring 22 from the shoe 2|] the pump maybe freely withdrawn from thewell.

The mandrel 2| and the ring 22 may be separately or independently replaced if worn beyond repair. The seat 24 and the shoulder 25 may be resurfaced, if necessary. It is tobe noted that both the seat 24 and the shoulder 25 may berepeatedly resurfaced to maintain the proper sealing engagement of the mand-rel 2| in the shoe 20. Where the opening 23 and the ring 22 are cylindrical, as described above, the resurfacing of the seat 24 or the shoulder 25, or both, does not impair the proper and secure engagement of the ring 22 in the opening 23 when the pump is reset in the well. It is to be noted that the gripping ring 22 has sufficient strength to support the entire weight of the sucker rod stringS and to withstand any torsional strains to which it may be subjected when the string S is turned to tighten up its joints, as described above. The lock device embodies only three simple, inexpensive parts that may be individually repaired and replaced when necessary.

Fig. 5 of the drawings illustrates a form of the invention in which the lock ring or gripping ring 22a is integral with the mandrel 2 Ia. In this form of the device the shoe and the mandrel 2|a may be the same as the shoe and mandrel of the previously described form of the invention. The lock ring 22a may be of the same shape and construction as the ring 22 described above, having the circumferentially spaced longitudinal slots 3E!a and having the portion 33a of enlarged external diameter spaced between its ends. portion 33a has the same function as the portion 33 of the device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, that is, it bears outwardly against the wall of the shoe opening 23 to normally resist or prevent movement of the ring and mandrel in the shoe 2B. The lower portion or end of the ring 272a integrally joins the upper end of the mandrel 21a. The opening 29a of the ring 22a is preferably larger in diameter throughout the greater portion of its length than the mandrel opening 28a and an internal shoulder 40 at or below the lower ends of the slots 34a connects the opening 29a with the opening 2|ia of the mandrel Zia, the two openings in effect constituting a single continuous passage or opening. the mandrel 22a engages against the seat 24 to suspend the mandrel 2|!a and the pump barrel I2 andthe portion 33a of the ring 22e grips or presses against the wall of the shoe opening 23 in the same manner as in the preceding form of the in- .Y

vention.

The device illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings has substantially the same operation and function as the device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. The form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings may be found desirable in certain-instances, in that it is less expensivethan the device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, and because of the absence of the threaded connection between the mandrel 2|a and the ring 22a there is an appreciably shorter longitudinal zone between the seat a and the lower ends of the slots 3|]a in which sand may accumulate that might cause the mandrel to stick in the shoe 20. The last mentioned feature of the device is of importance in certain installations and assures the easier removal of the mandrel 2|2L from the shoe 20. through the medium of the string of sucker rods S.

Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings illustrate still The The shoulder 25a of another form of the invention which is characterized byits simplicity'and low cost. The shoe 20 and the. mandrel 2 |ar may be identical with the shoe 20 and mandrel 2|a shown in Fig. 5. In this form of the invention the gripping or locking element may be formed integral with the mandrel 2|@ and comprises a plurality of upwardlyl projecting vertical orV longitudinal lingers 4I. The fingers 4| are separated by longitudinal notches or slots 42; The slots 42 extend from a plane spaced above the shoulder 25a to the upper ends of the-lingers 4l. The number and the spacing of the slots 42 is such that the fingers 4| have the necessary flexibility and resiliency. The outer surfaces 43 of the fingers 4| are formed or machined to tightly engage the wall of the shoe opening 23 being maintained in cooperation with the wall ofthe opening through the inherent resiliency of the fingers 4|. When the mandrel 2|a is entered or pressed into the shoe 2U the fingers 4| are forced inwardly and the resiliency of the fingers 4| or the portion 44 of the device connecting the fingers 4| at their lower ends holds the surfaces 43 of, the fingers outwardly against the wall of the shoe opening 23 with suicient force to effectively resist movement and turning of the mandrel 2 |2- in the shoe.

The device illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings has the same function and operation as the previously described forms of the invention. It will be observed that the pump securing or locking` device illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture as it involves only two simple, integral parts, namely the shoe 2|] and the mandrel 2 a provided with the spring ngers 4 Having described'only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that mayv appear to those skilled in the art, or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A device for suspending a well pump from a tubing shoe having an internal seat and an opening of uniform diameter extending upwardly from the seat, the device including, a tubular mandrel connected with the upper end of the pump and extendingv into the shoe, a shoulder on the mandrel engagingv the seat whereby the mandrel suspendsthe pump, and a ring on the upper end of the mandrel having a portion of enlarged external diameter frictionally gripping the wall of said opening and longitudinal slots extending through said portion rendering the same flexible.

2. A device for suspending a well pump from a tubing shoe having an internal seat and an openingA of uniform diameter extending upward ly from the seat, the device including, a tubular mandrel connected with the upper end of the pump and extending into the shoe, a shoulder on the mandrel engaging the seat whereby the mandrel suspends the pump, and a spring ring threadedly connected with the mandrel and frictionally engaged in the said opening of the shoe to removably hold the mandrel in shoe.

3. A device for suspending a well pump from a tubing shoe having an internal seat and an opening of uniform diameter extending upwardly from the seat, the device including a tubular mandrel connected with the upper end of the pump and extending into the shoe, a shoulder on the mandrel engaging the seat whereby the mandrel suspends the pump, and a spring element threadedly secured to the upper end of the mandrel and frictionally bearing outwardly against the interior of the shoe above the seat to removably hold the mandrel in the shoe, the spring element including cireumferentially spaced partsv engaging :the shoe and annular portions joining the ends of said parts.

4. A device for suspending a well pump from a tubing shoe having an internal seat and an opening of uniform diameter extending upwardly fromy the seat, the device including a tubular mandrel connected with the upper end of the pump and extending into the shoe, a surface on the mandrel bearing downwardly against the seat whereby the mandrel suspends the pump, and a slotted ring integral with the upper end of the mandrel and frictionally cooperating with the interior of the shoe to removably hold the mandrel in the shoe.

5. A device for suspending a well pump from a tubing shoe having an internal seat and an opening of uniform diameter extending upwardly from the seat, the device including a tubular rigid mandrel connected with the upper end of the pump and extending into the shoe, a surface on the mandred engaging downwardly against rthe seat whereby the mandrel suspends the pump, and a springl element on the mandrel engaging outwardly against the shoe above the seat to removably hold the mandrel in the shoe, the element comprising a plurality of flexible fingers frictionally engaging outwardly against the interior of the shoe.

6. A device for suspending a well pump from a tubing shoe having an internal seat and an opening of uniform diameter extending upwardly from the seat, the device including a tubular mandrel connected with the upper end of the pump and extending into the shoe, a surface on the mandrel bearing downwardly against the seat whereby the mandrel suspends the pump, and a plurality of spring fingers integral with the mandrel and projecting upwardly therefrom and frictionally engaging outwardly against the interior of the shoe.

DANIEL W. HOFERER.. 

